Amid tight security, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, the U.S. ambassador to Japan, foreign dignitaries, and the general public joined a prayer service Sunday for the victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in the United States.
"These terrorist attacks are a serious challenge not only to the United States, but to the freedom and democracy of the world," said Koizumi in a speech at the Ceremony for All Victims of Terrorist Attacks in the U.S., which started 2 p.m. at Tokyo Big Sight in Tokyo's Koto Ward. The ceremony was jointly sponsored by the Japanese government and the America-Japan Society.
"We must stand up with firm resolve to strive for the eradication of terrorism, together with other nations of the world," he said, adding that Japan has decided to donate $10 million in support of the victims of the terrorist attacks and has adopted a seven-point plan in response to the attacks.